Have you heard of craniosacral therapy (CST)?
Craniosacral therapy involves gentle, light touch head-holding techniques that can address tension and strain sensations in the cranium, including the facial bones, sinuses, and jaw. This approach is particularly relaxing and can help with a variety of concerns including TMJ dysfunction, headaches, sinus congestion, and post-concussion symptoms.
Craniosacral therapy was developed by an American Osteopath by the name of William Garner Sutherland (1873-1954) who was among the first group of students to learn osteopathy from it's founder, Andrew Taylor Still. As such, cranial techniques are an important part of today's osteopathic training, though this may vary depending on the country where your practitioner was trained. The Canadian College of Osteopathy, where Anne-Marie trained, integrates cranial osteopathy techniques as part of a whole-body approach to supporting various symptoms.
Craniosacral can be particularly helpful in eliciting a relaxation response from the nervous system and in supporting chronic conditions that are exacerbated by stress. Examples of indications for craniosacral therapy include:
Chronic pain
Sleep difficulties
Anxiety, stress, inability to relax throughout the day
Asthma
Digestion problems
As well as symptoms that may be more localized around the cranium, including:
Headaches
Dental pain (from orthodontics)
TMJ pain & dysfunction
Sinus congestion
Following trauma to the face (falls and bumps on the head)
Post-concussion
Recurrent ear infections
Neck pain/ stiff neck/ kink in the neck
Even babies can benefit from craniosacral therapy. Common reasons for consultation include:
Latch difficulties
Tongue tie
Traumatic births (forceps, cord around their neck, long deliveries, born with bruising)
Torticolis / head turning to only one side
Plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome)
Most people feel relaxed and a sense of ease and lightness in their head or ease of tension.
Have you tried CST?
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